Imogen Ryall
Vocal Tutor
About
Imogen currently teaches singing on the Performing Arts and Music Performance courses at City College Brighton and jazz singing at Chichester University, West Sussex.
Described as possessing “a very lovely voice indeed” by Jazz FM’s Sarah Ward, Imogen’s skillful improvising and her unique and heartfelt interpretations of the jazz standard repertoire have made her a popular performer with both audiences and musicians alike.
“Imogen Ryall more than holds her own in an exceptionally strong current UK jazz vocal scene. Her depth of expression, creativity, technique and musicianship are a constant source of joy and surprise to me” Julian Nicholas
Training:
- Arts Educational School, London.
- Chichester College (foundation diploma in Jazz)
- Guildhall School of Music & Drama, London (post-graduate diploma in Jazz & Studio Music).
- Brighton University, East Sussex (Certificate in Education)
She made her singing debut at the age of 17 supporting Kathy Stobart at The Chichester Jazz Festival, broadcast on Radio 2. She later went on to attend the Guildhall School of Music & Drama studying jazz with John Taylor, Norma Winstone and Peter Churchill. It wasn’t long before she was making regular appearances on the London jazz circuit. Her first CD “Alone Together” with guitarist, Andy Williams received extensive airplay and was much championed on Jazz FM’s Sarah Ward. Her second CD “Waltz for Ruth” was recorded during a 3 year residency at the Dorchester Hotel and featured her partner Roderick Hart, piano and Dave Green, double bass and was also played on Jazz FM and BBC Radio Sussex.
Over the years, Imogen has performed at venues including the 606 Jazz Club; The Jazz Cafe; Band on the Wall; Ronnie Scott’s and the Barbican Hall. She has worked with many of the country’s finest jazz artists including Julian Nicholas, Bobby Wellins, Ingrid Laubrock, Geoff Simkins, the Andy Panayi Big Band, Spike Wells, Mark Bassey and Jim Mullen.
She has written lyrics to a number of standards including ‘Waltz for Ruth’, Charlie Haden; ‘All across the City’, Jim Hall and ‘My Little Suede Shoes’, Charlie Parker and for compositions by Julian Nicholas and Geoff Gascoyne.
She is also a featured vocalist for One51 and Groovefinder Records with writer/producer Richard Earnshaw on Jazz/House tracks ‘Summer Rain’, ‘Joy Ride’ and ‘Summer Sun’ and her recent recording of ‘Cry Me a River’ is featured on the much acclaimed CD ‘In Time’ alongside Roy Ayers, Carleen Anderson and Jocelyn Brown. “Imogen’s rendition works effortlessly with the modern grooves across the whole package without losing the jazz touch” Frank Ainsworth, Pressure Radio. Following the ‘In Time’ album launch at the Jazz Café, London Richard Ashie of Blues and Soul magazine wrote: “There was a welcome appearance from Imogen Ryall who performed a rendition of the jazz standard ‘Cry me A River’. Vocally she brought the jazz element to the table and her duet with saxophonist James Vargas was extremely enjoyable to watch”.
In July 2013, Imogen performed with the Julian Nicholas/Mark Edwards Band at The Love Supreme Jazz Festival in Sussex and she continues to sing regularly with her quartet which features Roderick Hart, piano; Paul Whitten, bass and Dave Trigwell, drums, both on the local Jazz scene in and around Brighton and at various Jazz clubs across the UK.
Along with teaching at the University, she also teaches on the jazz courses at Chichester College runs jazz singing workshops at Evolution Arts, Brighton.
Other department members
Alison Woodward
Deputy Director, University of Chichester Conservatoire
Programme Coordinator - BA Hons Acting for Film and BA Hons Music
